There are many reasons why your air conditioning is producing air that is either warm or hot. This can be alarming on a hot day when you need the cold air to escape from the heat. The cause can be very simple in some cases, but it can also mean there are more serious problems involved with your air conditioner. We’ll go over eight of the most common reasons why this is happening and the solutions for them.
1. The Thermostat Isn’t Set Correctly
It’s common for people to get somewhat confused by the various modes and settings that control the environment of their home. If you don’t set it properly, it will only output air that is not cooled or dehumidified by the internal refrigerant. This can happen accidentally from pets or children playing who bump into the control panel and change the settings, or it can result from a lack of understanding of the operation of the AC unit.
Aside from accidental mishaps, one of the common reasons that it seems like the unit is not working correctly is if the fan is set to continually blow air even when cooling mechanisms are off. The solution is to set the fan to automatic, which will only blow air when the unit is using coolant to produce cold air. Setting the thermostat is a matter of understanding the settings on your unit and knowing what works best to keep your space at a comfortable temperature. The technician who installs the unit can provide guidance about what settings are best for your home.
2. Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
Most AC units trap dirt and other particles to prevent them from circulating in your home so that your air quality will be better. The downside to this is that the filter will eventually collect so much material that it impedes the airflow. When the filter is clogged, it will cause the AC unit to overwork, and this could lead to more serious damage to the unit because it isn’t designed to have so much strain on its internal parts.
The unit should have a feature that alerts you when the time comes to change the filter. In some cases, you might need to change the filter more frequently. This could happen if you have people who smoke or if there are a lot of pets that shed hair that gets into the filter.
3. Refrigerant Is Low or Leaking
The refrigerant is what enables your air conditioning to cool air when it passes through the unit. It’s a chemical compound that turns from liquid to gas and back again. This process draws heat out of the air, and the result is that the air that goes into the unit comes out at a cooler temperature. If your unit is low on refrigerant, it will not be able to adequately cool the air that passes through it.
When your refrigerant is low, it’s often because the AC unit has a leak. You will know that there is a leak if the evaporator coils are coated with frost. It’s important to have a professional look at your air conditioner if you suspect a leak because it could cause environmental hazards for your home or more expensive repairs later.
4. The Evaporator Coils Are Dirty
The evaporator coils play a vital role in cooling the air that comes out of your air conditioner. The air makes contact with these coils, and the warmth of the air causes the refrigerant to evaporate from liquid to gas. This process causes the coils and the air to become cooler. If the coils are dirty or clogged, it will block the cooling effect that they have on the air, and your AC unit might be unable to produce cooled air.
If you suspect that your evaporator coils are dirty or clogged, it is best to have a professional technician inspect and clean them so that you can once again rely on the unit to work properly. The technician will follow the right steps that include knowing where the coils are located, using the correct cleaning products, and other steps.
5. Frozen Evaporator Coils
If the airflow in your AC unit is impeded by clogs or other issues, it can cause too much moisture to build up on the evaporator coils. This will lead to the moisture freezing and forming frost or ice that further impedes airflow. The ice or frost will actually prevent air from contacting the cold surface of the coils, and the air will come out warm instead of cool.
The reason for this is that refrigerant needs to turn from liquid to gas in order to lower the temperature of the air that contacts the coils. This can’t occur if the coils have too much frost or ice coating them. A technician will be able to safely remove the ice or frost from the coils. The professional will also be able to find the cause of the buildup. This could be a leak or something more minor such as a filter that is overdue for replacement.
6. The Condensate Line Is Clogged
When the air in your AC unit is cooled down significantly, it causes water vapor to condense into liquid water. The condensate line carries the water out of the unit so that it doesn’t pool inside of the machinery. The constant wet state of the condensate line is prone to buildup of organic materials, such as mold or algae. Eventually, this material can clog the line. If this occurs, the AC unit will struggle to remove humidity from the air. If this is the case, a technician can sometimes clean out the condensate line without much expense or replacement cost.
7. The Compressor Is Damaged
The compressor is the part of your AC unit that circulates the refrigerant. If the compressor can’t circulate the coolant properly, then the unit will not be able to cool the air that comes out of it. This is not as common a problem as some others described here. However, a technician will be able to troubleshoot and find out if this is the case. Furthermore, a qualified professional will know if it’s worthwhile to replace the compressor or if it’s wiser to replace the entire air conditioning unit. The compressor will last up to 15 years, but if the unit is already very old, it’s often more feasible to replace the air conditioning unit.
8. There Is a Leak in the Air Ducts
You might have a system of ducts throughout your home that circulates the air to different spaces. If so, a leak in the ducts will interrupt the flow of cool air or mix warm air with cool air. A professional can inspect the ducts throughout your home or business to see where leaks are located. Often, the solution is to clear away some debris that is blocking a vent or duct, so this repair is not always costly.
No matter what you suspect is wrong with your air conditioner, it’s always best to have it checked out by a qualified technician. At Loves Air in Modesto, CA, we take pride in providing courteous and professional AC repair service. If your air conditioning isn’t producing cool air, we’re here to help. We also specialize in other technical repairs and installations of solar systems, windows, water heaters, and other related HVAC services. Visit our website or call us today for more information.
